Any Ideas? Really Need Some Help

[S-J-L]

Hi everyone,

Im a 21yr old female and have been gluten free for over a year now. Was diagnosed as celiac by blood and biopsy (subtotal villous atrophy). I am 5'8 and was only 95lb (43kg) when diagnosed. Ive gained some weight, but not enough, im about 107lb (48.5kg). My BMI puts me as being severly underweight, and i think it is this that makes me really tired. My bloodtest results are fairly good now, but i havn't been putting on any weight in the past 6 months, only early on in the diet. I don't think i have other intolerances either.

My family doctor said to my mum that he doubts i'll get any bigger I thought that i would be ok once my intestine had healed, but obviously not.

Help please

[mimommy]

Have you had your thyroid and/or nutrient levels tested? You may have low thyroid or deficiencies in your iron, b-12, and vitamn-D levels as a result of the malabsorption associated with celiac disease. Each one of those can be a major culprit in fatigue.

[flourgirl]

It may be that you just need more time. My weight was really low before diagnosis. Even when my nutrient levels started looking better, I wasn't gaining weight. It took more than a year after diagnosis and being on the diet before I started gaining any significant amount of weight. Even now, my doc would like to see me gain more (I disagree, though), but she is content that at least my weight has stabilized.

If your not having trouble with other foods, then just stay on the diet and make sure it's healthy and enough calories. Do make sure you have a blood panel for thyroid, and for nutrient levels in the blood. You're in the right place for advice, there's lots of experience here. Make sure that you are participating in health decisions and not blindly accepting what the docs have to say. You know what feels right and what doesn't.....I guess I mean...trust your instincts.

Hope you find your answers...good luck to you!